Celtic Monday One

The first clue of Bonnie Hunter's mystery was revealed on Friday, but I couldn't do any sewing until Saturday.  So far I've made 30 of each unit.  The rest are cut and poised by the machine.  Hoping to get at least 10 made each day.  Since I'm making the smaller size, it's not out of the realm of possibility.

So this is what's on my design wall today.  I'm thinking Bonnie might have us match star points.  Hmmm......

You can tell from my pictures that I am using a limited palette of fabrics. I have boldly substituted red for Bonnie's orange.  <g>  It will be fun seeing what everyone else has accomplished, especially those who go off on their own colorways, when we link up at Quiltville.

 

A Finish = Stash Reduction

A finish -- finally!!  The Tall Tree was finished and shipped to its new home.

So here is where I stand since October 1.

Beginning total:  11-1/2 yds
Fabric in:  0 yds
Fabric out:  6 yds
Current:  5-1/2 yds

You're probably wondering how I could use 6 yards in a wall hanging.  This thing is 70 inches long!

Black Friday specials were hard to resist so I ordered some pre-cuts that will be counted next week.  I'll be working on Celtic Solstice along with everyone who is doing Bonnie Hunter's new mystery.  And with a fairly open week I should be able to get those backs made that I've been projecting for the last month.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.

Friday Finish -- Almost

OK, so it's Saturday.  I probably could have finished Tall Tree on Friday.  Button sewing was all that was left to do.  But it was much more fun visiting with GSs #1 and #2!  I knew I wouldn't have time after that to make it to the PO, so why push myself?

Here it is, decorated with a couple of the numbered knit stockings I bought at Cracker Barrel.  It was the display model, so they all smelled like wood smoke and I discovered that Day 9 is missing.   A good dose of Febreze fabric refresher took care of the smell.  The kids will have to be creative on Day 9.  Actually, DIL is an accomplished knitter and I know she could have done a much better job on the stockings.



It's on it's way west.  A day late, but it's done!!

It's hard to tell from the photo, but it's as tall as a door.  I thought it would be easy paper piecing, but the large chunks of fabric were awkward to handle.  Be warned:  don't wait till the last minute on this one.

After I got it in the mail I had time to make 24 Celtic Solstice units for Bonnie Hunter's new mystery.  Hoping to do a little every day so as to not be too far behind when the next clue is revealed.

Too Much Good Fortune?

Is there such a thing as too much good luck?  Hmmm......

I have been rejoicing in my family's recent good fortunes -- son and daughter-in-law landing new jobs, another DIL getting a pay extension till the end of the school year, me getting the dates I wanted for jury duty, grandsons returning for Thanksgiving, dodging the tornados in Indiana and the icy snow today......

Then I wake to be informed that the microwave has died -- a fast and painless death, apparently -- one day before Thanksgiving.

Hey, wait, we still have today to replace it so I guess my good fortune continues.  It could've crashed tomorrow!

A Tip for Tuesday

Today I offer a tip on organization.

These clear Protect-n-Stor plastic storage boxes can be found in the scrapbooking section at Jo-Ann.  The are about half the cost of other similar storage boxes and they are frequently on sale with other storage options (like Monday when all storage was 60% off).

They have an inside dimension of 12x12 which accommodates flat storage of blocks less than 12".  I can stack five of these in an Itso cube from Target.

 

 

So how do I use these?  I kit up projects which I definitely plan to make and for which I have selected fabric by cutting the basic strips and pieces so that I can return the remainder of the fabric into circulation on my shelves.  I also write notes to myself about where I left off and what I plan to do because it can be months before I get back to the project.  I go a step further and label the box if the project requires any special tools. 

 

 

That way if I want to grab a project to take to a retreat or sit 'n' sew I know what tools I will need.  And if I am missing that tool, I can quickly check to see if I left it in the box the last time I worked on the project  (it happens more than I want to admit ;D)

 

I've been accused of being OCD.  Not sure about the O part, but the fact I have 50 of these boxes prepared definitely makes me guilty of the C part!!

 

I'd love to hear about and share tips from my readers.  Look for another tip next Tuesday.



Tuesday Morning

Greetings on this foggy, wet, chilly Tuesday morning.  At least it's not white -- yet!  We had some large fluffy flakes about 2 yesterday but by 3 it had changed to pellet sleet.











Temperatures rose by bedtime and all the sleet is gone.  A second wave is expected later today.  Could be our first significant snow of the season.  We'll see .....

Cold gray days like this are best spent in the sewing room.  However, mine is in the basement with minimal heat so it will be a game to see how long I last.  I really need to finish Tall Tree.  At least the handwork can be done in the warmth of the living room.

Look for a new feature -- A Tip for Tuesday -- later today when I begin a somewhat regular series of tips that I have found helpful in keeping myself organized, improving my accuracy, saving money, and having fun in the sewing room.  I'd love to hear some of your tips, too.

Monday, Monday

Good Monday morning to all!

These three quilt tops will soon be on their way to comfort tornado victims in Washington, IL.  I'll be making backs for these this week and finishing up the Tall Tree.  I think that is all that I can reasonably expect to accomplish with the holiday in the mix.



This is one of my favorite go-to baby quilts -- no pattern, just pieces and parts. 

Studies have shown that infants respond to high contrast colors like black/white and red/white.  I used a double-dozen 6-inch charm squares with leftover WOWs.  So easy!  I try to keep one of these on hand for last-minute gifts.  Guess I'd better get started on another one! <LOL>








This was a sweet panel of Hawaiian-style stencil-looking blocks.  I framed each little panel with coordinating color and found the perfect sashing fabric.  Border I bought at a shop on Kauai.









The third top is a pattern called Peppermint Twist.  I had planned to make three of these as Christmas quilts for DILs and SIL -- even had them all cut out.  I quit after just one.  I was working with a new machine and hadn't mastered the quarter-inch seam on it.  Nothing was coming out to the correct size.  I have since incorporated all the cutout pieces into other UFOs.



So excited that the two older grandchildren (ages 29 and 23) will be coming over Friday.  We don't get to see them often enough as #1GS is gainfully employed by a startup energy company in DC and #2GS is soon to graduate from Northeastern Univ. in Boston.  I am so proud of them and what sweet and thoughtful young men they have become.  I even have two wedding quilts in the queue for any eventualities (none, yet).

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  We've got bad weather heading our way and though TDOT has improved its methods of dealing with freezing road surfaces, southern drivers don't always know how to drive in it.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.